Lack of Air Conditioning on Buses (2)

Keith Prince: Why has this obvious Covid-19 risk factor for bus drivers not been remedied over a year after the pandemic and over three years after you committed to solve the problem? (cf. https://www.london.gov.uk/questions/2018/1765 and https://www.london.gov.uk/questions/2018/1764)

The Mayor: This potential Covid-19 risk factor was remedied without delay.
Air-conditioning systems in the driver cabs affected were switched off as a precaution from the end of May 2020, so that they could be modified to draw air from only the outside of the bus. In a very swift turnaround, the systems were available again by the early part of August 2020. The modifications were based on independent health research Transport for London (TfL) commissioned from University College London to provide an extra layer of assurance on its pandemic responses.
This is separate to, and should not be confused, with the general driver reporting process for any kind of potential vehicle concern. Drivers have always been able to raise these directly with their operators as well as through their union representatives, so that a specific bus can be checked and further maintenance carried out as required.
During the pandemic, TfL and Unite the Union have worked even more closely together to address issues affecting drivers ­– with solutions including enhanced anti-viral cleaning, more self-contained cabs, and continuing to require customers without an exemption to wear face coverings.

Gatwick Airport Expansion

Tony Devenish: Are you still in favour of the expansion of Gatwick Airport?

The Mayor: My officers are carefully scrutinising Gatwick Airport’s current proposals, in particular to understand the environmental and transport impacts of the scheme and the proposed mitigation
I have been clear that the aviation sector will need to play its part in the UK meeting its net zero carbon targets. It is disappointing that the recent Government consultation on this key topic declined to set out how compatibility of airport growth plans with carbon targets should be determined.

Lack of Air Conditioning on Buses

Keith Prince: On 22 July, a bus driver named “Jason” called into LBC’s Speak to Sadiq to complain that London Bus Driver Cabs lacked air conditioning (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bi0_JvKUv6E&t=3s). The response you gave the Bus Driver was nearly identical to one that that you gave a bus driver named “Yazu” on the same show about the same issue on 27 July 2018 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XXdQmT3zoLg).

How do you explain the persistence of complaints regarding this systemic problem with the lack of Air Conditioning on London Buses noting Unite the Union’s 20 November 2020 announcement 'New London bus air conditioning system a major victory in driver Covid safety campaign'?

The Mayor: Transport for London (TfL) does have air conditioning fitted in bus cabs to help drivers regulate the temperature during hot summer days. During the pandemic, it was necessary to switch off and modify some of these to make sure they drew in air solely from outside the vehicle. This modification process started towards the end of May 2020 and was completed in the early part of August 2020 – making them unavailable for only a few months.
If there are any vehicle concerns, related to air-conditioning or anything else, drivers should take these up with their local management directly or through their union representatives, with reference to the vehicles involved. If these can’t be resolved at that level, Unite the Union can bring these specific examples to TfL to investigate. During the pandemic, TfL and Unite have regularly discussed driver issues, particularly around health and safety, and keeping the driver’s cab well ventilated with external air.